By: Taylor of Galveston, et al.	S.B. No. 1200
	(Huberty)

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the creation of a commission to recommend a new system
	for student assessment and public school accountability.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by adding
	Subchapter N to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER N. TEXAS COMMISSION ON NEXT GENERATION ASSESSMENTS AND
	ACCOUNTABILITY
	Sec. 39.501.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission"
	means the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and
	Accountability.
	Sec. 39.502.  TEXAS COMMISSION ON NEXT GENERATION
	ASSESSMENTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. (a)  The Texas Commission on Next
	Generation Assessments and Accountability is established to
	develop and make recommendations for new systems of student
	assessment and public school accountability.
	(b)  The commission is composed of 15 members, consisting of
	the following:
	(1)  four members appointed by the governor;
	(2)  three members appointed by the lieutenant
	governor;
	(3)  three members appointed by the speaker of the
	house of representatives;
	(4)  the chair of the senate committee on education, or
	a representative designated by the chair;
	(5)  the chair of the senate committee on higher
	education, or a representative designated by the chair;
	(6)  the chair of the house of representatives
	committee on public education, or a representative designated by
	the chair;
	(7)  the chair of the house of representatives
	committee on higher education, or a representative designated by
	the chair; and
	(8)  a member of the State Board of Education, as
	designated by the chair of that board.
	(c)  In making appointments under Subsections (b)(1), (2),
	and (3), the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
	house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the
	commission includes at least one of each of the following
	representatives:
	(1)  a parent or person standing in parental relation
	to a student enrolled in the public school system;
	(2)  an educator in the public school system;
	(3)  an educator in a school district that is a
	participant in the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium under
	Section 7.0561;
	(4)  a member of the business community;
	(5)  a member of the civic community;
	(6)  a leader in student assessment development and
	use; and
	(7)  a leader in research concerning student assessment
	and education outcomes.
	Sec. 39.503.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
	designate the presiding officer of the commission.
	Sec. 39.504.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
	the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the
	commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
	necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.
	Sec. 39.505.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING.
	(a)  Staff members of the agency shall provide administrative
	support for the commission.
	(b)  Funding for the administrative and operational expenses
	of the commission shall be provided by appropriation to the agency
	for that purpose.
	Sec. 39.506.  RECOMMENDATIONS. The commission shall develop
	recommendations under this subchapter to address:
	(1)  the purpose of a state accountability system and
	the role of student assessment in that system;
	(2)  opportunities to assess students that:
	(A)  provide actionable information for a parent
	or person standing in parental relation to a student, an educator,
	and the public;
	(B)  support learning activities;
	(C)  recognize application of skills and
	knowledge;
	(D)  measure student educational growth toward
	mastery; and
	(E)  value critical thinking;
	(3)  alignment of state performance standards with
	college and career readiness requirements in collaboration with the
	Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Higher Education Coordinating
	Board;
	(4)  policy changes necessary to enable a student to
	progress through subject matter and grade levels on demonstration
	of mastery; and
	(5)  policy changes necessary to establish a student
	assessment and public school accountability system that meets state
	goals, is community based, promotes parent and community
	involvement, and reflects the unique needs of each community.
	Sec. 39.507.  REPORT. (a)  The commission shall prepare and
	deliver a report to the governor and the legislature that
	recommends statutory changes to improve systems of student
	assessment and public school accountability not later than
	September 1, 2016.
	(b)  In preparing the report, the commission shall consider
	the recommendations of the Texas High Performance Schools
	Consortium established under Section 7.0561, including
	recommendations related to innovative, next-generation learning
	standards and assessment and accountability systems.
	Sec. 39.508.  PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION.
	(a)  The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill
	its duties under this subchapter.
	(b)  The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552,
	Government Code.
	Sec. 39.509.  COMMISSION ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF
	SUBCHAPTER.  (a)  The commission is abolished January 1, 2017.
	(b)  This subchapter expires January 1, 2017.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2015.